Transducer identification

1. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising: at least one echosounder; at least one ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal, and containing identification information related to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; and a communications bus coupling the at least one echosounder and the at least one transducer, the communications bus communicating the detected echo signal and the identification information from the at least one transducer to the at least one echosounder based on a bi-directional communication protocol.

2. The transducer identification system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one echosounder alters its operating parameters based on the identification information to optimize overall performance of the system.

3. The transducer identification system of claim 2 , wherein the identification information includes at least one member selected from the group comprising: a) the resonant frequencies of the transducer; b) the impedances of the transducer at the transducer's resonant frequencies; c) the transducer's power rating; d) the date of manufacture of the transducer; e) the peak transmitting voltage response of the transducer; f) the receiving voltage response of the transducer; g) the figure of merit of the transducer; h) the model number of the transducer; i) the serial number of the transducer; j) the transducer's aging coefficient; k) information regarding the configuration of the transducer, such as the housing style, arrangement of piezoelectric elements, and type of acoustic window; 1 ) the beam width of the transducer; m) configuration and calibration information regarding an included temperature sensor; and n) configuration and calibration information regarding an included speed sensor.

4. The transducer identification system of claim 1 , wherein the communications bus includes at least one member selected from the group comprising: a single wire bus, a multiple wire bus, and an optical fiber.

5. The transducer identification system of claim 1 , wherein communications between the at least one echosounder and the at least one transducer is through a wireless communications link.

6. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and digitizing the echo signal; and a digital data bus for coupling transducer identification information and the digitized signal to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel.

7. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer including: a housing adapted to be mounted below the waterline, the housing containing at least one piezoelectric element for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and including at least one member selected from the group comprising: a speed sensor for providing a digitized signal of a speed of the vessel and a temperature sensor for providing a digitized signal of a temperature of water; and a digital data bus for coupling transducer identification information and the digitized signals to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel.

8. A method comprising: mounting a housing containing at least one piezoelectric element of an ultrasonic transducer below the waterline on a marine vessel for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal; mounting an echosounder on the marine vessel; and coupling transducer identification information and the detected echo signal to the echosounder over the communications bus based on a bi-directional communication protocol.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the echosounder alters its operating parameters based on the identification information to optimize overall performance of the system.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the communications bus includes at least one member selected from the group comprising: a single wire bus, a multiple wire bus, an optical fiber, and a wireless communications link.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the housing further contains at least one member selected from the group comprising: a speed sensor for providing a signal of a speed of the vessel, and a temperature sensor for providing a signal of a temperature of water.

12. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal; and a communications bus for coupling transducer identification information and the detected echo signal to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel based on a bi-directional communication protocol.

13. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer including: a housing adapted to be mounted below the waterline, the housing containing at least one piezoelectric element for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and including at least one member selected from the group comprising: a speed sensor for providing a speed signal of a speed of the vessel and a temperature sensor for providing a temperature signal of a temperature of water; and a communications bus for coupling transducer identification information and the signals to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel based on a bi-directional communication protocol.